One of my wishes for 2014 was to see the trend of men dressing well – and the increasing interest in designer menswear – to continue.

After all, it doesn't take much for a man to add a jacket or choose tailored trousers over baggy shorts; it just takes the will.

But if you, like many a good man out there, don't have the first clue how to step up your style, take a peek at the fall/winter 2014 menswear shows in Paris and Milan.

Sure, you'll look at Fendi's fur runway and the fur vests over the slim suits and go, “What?” Or you'll look at Missoni's luscious-looking blanket coat and declare that no real man would walk around in public like that. You'll do a spit-take over the entirety of Yohji Yamamoto's collection (especially the oversized black coat with red roses) and you'll say “no way” to Rick Owens' muted, layered neutral suits and head scarves.

But that's the runway for you, and it's something stylish women have known for years. The runway is a guide to the seasons' silhouettes, palettes, textiles and trends and not meant to be taken literally. Beautifully rendered into a feast for the eye, the individual elements of style seen during fashion weeks will be adapted for broader consumption that translates to the real world.

And then look closer at Gucci's beautifully tailored slim-cut trousers topped by pastel cropped jackets or Givenchy's basketball-inspired line and imagine yourself mixing in aspects of those trends one piece at a time. That is how you become a sharply dressed man.

The "runway" for Givenchy's menswear Fall/Winter 2014-15 collection in Paris was a giant basketball court, approprate because the line was inspired by the game. PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN, GETTY IMAGES
The "runway" for Givenchy's menswear Fall/Winter 2014-15 collection in Paris was a giant basketball court, approprate because the line was inspired by the game. PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN, GETTY IMAGES
Carven featured boldly checked overcoats , tapered trousers and collarless shirts by designer Guillaume Henry on models walking in a pool hall setting. Henry said he wanted to present an image of a group of friends who "play like bad boys". JACQUES BRINON, AP
Valentino's man sported classical tailoring in modern silhouettes and somber colors, seen here on the Fall-Winter 2014-2015 runway in Paris. JACQUES BRINON, AP
Valentino's man sported classical tailoring in modern silhouettes and somber colors, seen here on the Fall-Winter 2014-2015 runway in Paris. JACQUES BRINON, AP
Valentino's man sported classical tailoring in modern silhouettes and somber colors, seen here on the Fall-Winter 2014-2015 runway in Paris. JACQUES BRINON, AP
Missoni's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 men's collection at Milan Fashion Week included cozy printed blankets over cable knit sweaters and pants. The line evokes an "urban surfer" who doesn't spend all his time at work. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
Missoni's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 men's collection at Milan Fashion Week included cozy printed blankets over cable knit sweaters and pants. The line evokes an "urban surfer" who doesn't spend all his time at work. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
Dsquared2's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 runway in Milan offered men mash-up of traditionally tailored coats and a hip-hop vibe. TULLIO M. PUGLIA, GETTY IMAGES
Dsquared2's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 runway in Milan offered men mash-up of traditionally tailored coats and a hip-hop vibe. TULLIO M. PUGLIA, GETTY IMAGES
Gucci's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 menswear collection was old school with a 60's vibe and entirely fresh at the same time with models sporting neoprene bonded coats and jackets over leather pants and mock turtlenecks in muted neutrals with a dash of pastel. STEFANIA D'ALESSANDRO, GETTY IMAGES
Gucci's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 menswear collection was old school with a 60's vibe and entirely fresh at the same time with models sporting neoprene bonded coats and jackets over leather pants and mock turtlenecks in muted neutrals with a dash of pastel. STEFANIA D'ALESSANDRO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Giorgio Armani show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014 on January 14, 2014 in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Giorgio Armani show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Giorgio Armani show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter in Milan, Italy. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
Models wear creations for Giorgio Armani men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model wears a creation for Bottega Veneta men's Autumn-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan, Italy. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model wears a creation for Bottega Veneta men's Autumn-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model walks the runway during the Roberto Cavalli show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014 in Milan. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Roberto Cavalli show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014 in Milan. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model wears a creation for Roberto Cavalli men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model wears a creation for Etro men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model wears a creation for Etro men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
Models wear creations for Etro men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model walks the runway during the Fendi show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014 on January 13, 2014 in Milan. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model walks the runway during the Fendi show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014 on January 13, 2014 in Milan. VITTORIO ZUNINO CELOTTO, GETTY IMAGES
A model wears a creation for Salvatore Ferragamo men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model wears a creation for Salvatore Ferragamo men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week, unveiled in Milan. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model walks the runway during the Gucci show as a part of Milan Fashion Week Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014 in Milan. STEFANIA D'ALESSANDRO, GETTY IMAGES
A model wears a creation for Missoni men's Autumn-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week. ANTONIO CALANNI, AP
A model wears a creation for Prada men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week. LUCA BRUNO, AP
A model wears a creation for Prada men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week. LUCA BRUNO, AP
Models pose during the presentation of Carven men's fall-winter 2014-2015 fashion collection, designed by French fashion designer Guillaume Henry and presented in Paris. JACQUES BRINON, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Givenchy men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. THIBAULT CAMUS, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Rick Owens men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. THIBAULT CAMUS, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Rick Owens men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. THIBAULT CAMUS, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Dries Van Noten men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. ZACHARIE SCHEURER, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Dries Van Noten men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection Paris. ZACHARIE SCHEURER, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Louis Vuitton men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. JACQUES BRINON, AP
Models present creations as part of Louis Vuitton men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. JACQUES BRINON, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Yohji Yamamoto men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. REMY DE LA MAUVINIERE, AP
A model presents a creation from Yohji Yamamoto men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. REMY DE LA MAUVINIERE, AP
A model presents a creation as part of Yohji Yamamoto men's Fall-Winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris. REMY DE LA MAUVINIERE, AP

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